Cyclists on track for Dalwhinnie improvements
Cyclists using the National Cycle Network Route 7 (NCN7) between Dalnaspidal and Dalwhinnie are set to benefit from an improved surface as £250,000 worth of resurfacing works are set to be carried out from next week.
The project will see resurfacing works completed along a 4.3km section of cycle track on the NCN7, creating a smoother and safer journey for cyclists. The work will include the installation of bollards and other measures designed to prevent illegal access to the track by motorised vehicles in a bid to prevent future damage to the surface.
The project is set to begin on Monday (August 12) and is programmed to take up to three weeks to complete. The surfacing improvements will take place between 7am and 7pm each day, with no works taking place at the weekends.
To ensure the safety of roadworkers and cyclists, sections of the cycle track will require to be temporarily closed during the week although the route will remain open at weekends. To minimise disruption, the work will be carried out in phases.
Information boards will be situated at closure points advising cyclists and walkers of the next available opportunity to re-join the cycle track. During this time, cyclists and walkers wishing to travel between Dalnaspidal and Dalwhinnie will be required to use an alternative route.
As this option is likely to involve travelling on the A9, a free shuttle service will be provided travelling between the closure points for cycle track users who do not wish to travel on the A9 trunk road. The shuttle vehicle will be available between 7am and 7pm each day and a contact phone number along with instructions to follow will be provided at each closure point.
As some cyclists may wish to travel on the A9, ‘Cyclist’ warning signs will be situated at regular intervals along the A9 to increase driver awareness.
There will be no restrictions on the A9 during the NCN7 improvements.
Consultation has taken place with Sustrans, the local authority, local residents, Transport Scotland and other relevant stakeholders to inform them of the project in advance.
Eddie Ross, BEAR Scotland’s North West representative, said: “The £250,000 investment from Transport Scotland will allow our teams to carry out this essential resurfacing project at this section of the NCN7, greatly improving the condition and safety of the route in this area.
“For safety reasons it will be necessary to close sections of the path as the surfacing operations progress, however we’ve taken steps to minimise disruption for cycle track users by avoiding working over the weekend and providing a shuttle service as an alternative option. We will also place additional signs on the A9 to advise motorists that cyclists are likely to be on the route to help raise driver awareness should cyclists not wish to make use of the shuttle service.
“Our teams will look to do all they can to complete the project as quickly and safely as possible. We thank cycle track users and the local community in advance for their patience while we carry out the project, which will help create a much-improved surface on this section of the NCN7.”
The NCN7 cycle route runs between Sunderland and Inverness, sections of which run parallel to the A9 trunk road between Perth and Inverness which is managed and maintained by BEAR Scotland. The NCN7 cycle path criss-crosses the A9 trunk road boundary at multiple points, and BEAR Scotland has responsibility for the sections which fall within the trunk road boundary on behalf of Transport Scotland. Areas outside of this boundary are the responsibility of local authorities or Sustrans.
